Mobile technology is now a key element in modern business communication, collaboration, and operations. Gone are the days when employees would gather in conference rooms, relying on cumbersome speakerphones for group calls. Today, mobile phones and devices have become our primary tools for workplace communication.
A recent survey conducted by Aberdeen, led by VP & Principal Analyst Jim Rapoza, revealed that 30% of employees now use a smartphone dedicated exclusively to their work. This shift towards mobile technology has revolutionized organizational practices, placing a higher value on flexibility, mobility, efficiency, and productivity.
The Impact of Mobile Technology on the Workplace
Flexibility
Mobile technology allows employees to conduct business from virtually anywhere, anytime. There’s no need to be physically present in the office to access the company network, share data, or communicate with colleagues and customers.
Efficiency
With mobile devices, workers can access systems and update information in real-time, ensuring seamless synchronization with other users. This streamlines workflows by eliminating the need for multiple steps to compile, input, and share information manually.
Productivity
Simplified workflows and fewer steps mean that employees can accomplish more in the same amount of time or even faster. Those who use the app for business can do more, earn more, and are more productive. It is difficult to single out one iPhone app that completely changes business processes. A good example is FAX from iPhone: Fax App, which replaces a regular fax machine. Thanks to digital faxing, any employee can send or receive a fax without leaving their workplace. For business communication, this is an extremely useful application that can do even more than a fax machine. For example, it allows you to edit a document before sending or store documents in the device’s memory until they are needed.
Employee Morale
Mobile technology gives employees the autonomy to handle everyday administrative tasks on their own terms. They can complete tasks at home or on-the-go without needing constant back-and-forths with HR, managers, or team members. This self-service capability enhances employee morale through greater autonomy and efficiency.
Enhancing Your Small Business with Mobile Technology
You don’t need to run a large enterprise to harness the benefits of mobile technology. Small businesses across various sectors can integrate mobile solutions to streamline their administrative processes, particularly in HR and people management.
By implementing an HR and payroll software that includes mobile capabilities, your business can:
Empower Self-Service
Self-service modules empower employees to handle their administrative tasks and access their own information independently. For instance, employees can log their hours and review pay stubs using a time-and-attendance module. They can also research available benefits, update their employee profiles, and modify essential HR data as needed—all without HR intervention.
Boost Employee Ownership and Autonomy
When employees manage their own data, they gain control and responsibility over it, relieving HR administrators and managers from this task. This shift allows your HR team to focus on more strategic initiatives that drive business growth.
Ensure Compliance
HR administrators can effortlessly access real-time employee information beyond payroll data, ensuring that the business remains compliant with evolving laws, regulations, and standards related to education, training, equipment, document storage, performance management, and more.
Enhance Employee Experience
Providing employees with the ability to access information and take action whenever needed fosters a positive and empowering workplace experience. For example, if an employee needs proof of employment to purchase a house, they can independently retrieve the necessary documents without waiting for assistance.
Final Words
In today’s dynamic work environment, employees are increasingly relying on multiple devices to complete their tasks. Throughout the day, many workers seamlessly switch between their laptops, tablets, and smartphones. In fact, a significant 64% of employees engage in business activities from home after regular working hours. The importance of anywhere, anytime access cannot be overstated for today’s workforce. To safely accommodate this trend, implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy can be a highly effective solution.
Wearable technology is poised to make its way from the consumer market into the professional sphere, much like smartphones and tablets have done. Devices such as smartwatches and smart glasses—currently the front-runners in wearable tech—are expected to become common in the workplace. According to a recent study by Rackspace, 47% of users reported feeling smarter with wearable tech, while 61% felt better informed. Additionally, 37% mentioned that wearable technology has contributed to their career growth.